Democrat Francine Busby met yesterday with Sheriff Bill Gore and asked him to release the 911 tape that drew deputies to a June 26 fundraiser for her congressional campaign.

Gore said no.

He said it was part of an ongoing internal investigation into the conduct of a sheriff's deputy who responded to a noise complaint. Deputy Marshall Abbott doused guests with pepper spray and arrested the host.

Gore also denied a formal request by The San Diego Union-Tribune for the 911 tape and transcripts.

After her meeting with Gore, Busby said she was confident he would handle the incident appropriately.

“We had a very productive conversation,” Busby said at a news conference outside the sheriff's administration center in Kearny Mesa. “He was very gracious, very cooperative and extremely anxious himself to see this investigation completed as fully and quickly as possible.”

She said Gore told her he regretted the incident.

Gore declined to comment on the meeting.

Busby believes the noise complaint was politically motivated, and she wants to know who called 911. There was no music playing, and the only amplified sound at the event was Busby's speech from about 8 to 8:30 p.m. Three neighbors told a reporter afterward that the event didn't disturb them.

A confrontation between Abbott, 29, and a Busby supporter became violent after the woman refused to give her date of birth. Abbott used his pepper spray because he felt threatened by guests who surrounded him, a sheriff's spokesman has said. A sergeant, six deputies including a canine unit, a helicopter and a firetruck responded to Abbott's call for backup.

Two Busby supporters were arrested: Shari Barman, 60, was booked into jail on suspicion of battery on a peace officer and resisting a peace officer; and Pam Morgan, 62, on similar charges.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is reviewing the sheriff's case against Barman.

Busby, 58, is seeking her party's nomination to run for the 50th Congressional District seat held by Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad.